10 Best Debut Rock Albums Of The 2020s So Far
2. For The First Time - Black Country, New Road
Every so often, a band come along determined to push the boundaries of conventional rock music and see what happens. In 2021, Black Country, New Road were that band.
The best way to get a feel for their stuff is to just stick it on and listen to it. However, that's a cop out, so let's try and pin something down.
It's experimental, that's for sure. There's elements of freeform jazz to it, as the music changes seemingly on a whim, often building to a dramatic climax.
Then there's the vocals, which are not traditional at all. On songs like Science Fair, frontman Isaac Wood performs an animated spoken word routine, sounding more and more frantic as the tune wears on.
These elements combine to create a style all of its own; a soundtracked radio play with both feet planted firmly in the dramatic.
All copies of For the first time should come with a big sticker on the front that reads "THIS IS NOT A NORMAL ALBUM." That being said, if this record appeals to you, then it's going to really appeal to you.